15 MARCH 1986, Page 23

Forked skis

Sir: I know my old friend Taki well enough not to follow closely in his footsteps in most areas, but at least thought myself safe to ski behind him. Instead (High life, 8 March), he led his one time mentor in English semantics into a tank-trap such as his clansmen employed to keep the Italians at bay in the Epirus. Virgil was right: 'Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.'

Alistair Home

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